Minister of Justice Lobato appeals

Defence Counsel for Lucia Lobato has lodged an appeal at the Court of Appeals (Tribunal de Recursos-TR) immediately after being handed down a five year sentence by the Dili District Court (Tribunal Distrital de Dili -TDD).

“Her Defence Counsel lodged the appeal and it will be taken to the Public Prosecutor’s Office for processing (PPO),” said TDD’s Justice Official Julio Nunes (04/07), in Mandarin, Dili.
Lucia Lobato was charged with corruption in the case involving the illegal purchase of prison uniforms. 

He added the appeal was lodged at the Court of Appeals on the 29th of June and the Dili District Court will wait for the Public Prosecutor’s Office to act. 

“We have given the PPO until the 17th of July, and should there be no action on their behalf we will take it up to the Court of Appeal for further judgement,” said Nunes. 

Member of Parliament (MP) Josefa Alvares Soares said this was not unusual, as everyone can appeal should they not be satisfied with the ruling.

“Should she feel the sentence is disproportionate she has every right to appeal,” said the MP. 
She added at the Court of Appeal more claims will be heard before the rightful decision is made.